What should I ask a Craig's List person about an RTB?

[MelissaFlipski]

My husband has shown interest in RTB's and other larger boas (larger than our Kenyan Sand or the Rosy I want!). I saw this ad on Craig's List and have both emailed and spoken with the person who posted the ad. Here is the link if you are curious.
http://martinsburg.craigslist.org/pet/505271473.html

There is only one female left, born in July, from her own clutch - she owns the parents. According to what she said, she's a fine eater (accepting both f/t and live hopper mice), has had all good sheds, and is normally pretty docile - but can be cranky if not handled recently or when you first get her out.

What other questions should I ask her before/when I see her/the snake? Also, how far away must a quarantine be? Is another room OK or does it have to be clear across the house?

Also, I am OK with getting the snake, but am still trying to gauge how serious my husband is. He seems to want to try to find me a Rosy Boa now to make up for the no-go rescue fiasco, which is sweet, but I'd rather wait and get exactly what I want (a female and specific locality not readily available). If we don't have experience with large snakes yet (our Ball is an '06), is it OK to delve now - the baby is about 2' long.

All and any thoughts, advice, etc. are welcome! Thanks for the feedback!

[ladywhipple02]

I would ask what they've been keeping her in, what she's been eating, how often she's been eating... I would also ask to take a look at the parents when you're over there. They are usually a good guage of how large their offspring are going to get (as well as getting a nice perspective on their size, care, etc). Maybe even ask to handle one of the parents just to get an idea of what an adult boa is going to be like. And take a good look at the baby before you take her home, make sure it's active, clean, bug-free, all that fun stuff...

I don't think it would be too early to get a boa. It's good to start out with a baby because you can then grow with the snake... you'll know it's temperaments, when it wants to be left alone and when it's all right to handle. As always, just make sure you do your research!

Boas are great snakes really... the babies can be a little nippy (though in my experience it's a rare few that are), but grow into stellar sweet adults with good care. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[frankykeno]

I think Lynn's advice to see and handle the adults is a great one! Since this is a female boa and they do get larger than the males you need to know what the future is with her and be prepared for her mature size.

Personally as much as I love the ball pythons, our home would seem empty without a boa in it.

Remember as with any new snake and especially when you have a mixed collection of boas and pythons, you need to practise strict and consistent quarantine procedures.

[MelissaFlipski]

Remember as with any new snake and especially when you have a mixed collection of boas and pythons, you need to practise strict and consistent quarantine procedures.

That's why I asked about how far away I need to keep a new snake. Is there a quarantine do's and don't's sticky thread?

I would ask what they've been keeping her in, what she's been eating, how often she's been eating... I would also ask to take a look at the parents when you're over there. They are usually a good guage of how large their offspring are going to get (as well as getting a nice perspective on their size, care, etc). Maybe even ask to handle one of the parents just to get an idea of what an adult boa is going to be like. And take a good look at the baby before you take her home, make sure it's active, clean, bug-free, all that fun stuff...

I don't think it would be too early to get a boa. It's good to start out with a baby because you can then grow with the snake... you'll know it's temperaments, when it wants to be left alone and when it's all right to handle. As always, just make sure you do your research!

Boas are great snakes really... the babies can be a little nippy (though in my experience it's a rare few that are), but grow into stellar sweet adults with good care. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

She is still in a breeder rack. She was eating 3x a week, then 2x, now just 1x a week. She is approximately 2 feet right now. The mother boa is 9 to 9.5 feet; the father is about 5'.

Now what do you think of this? She said that she prefers meeting somewhere (I asked, and she is also open to coming to our place.) b/c they don't like to have people come to the house seeing what they have. "Our neighbors don't even know what we have." Is this weird or normal? I've heard Ben Rennick mention that he is not wild about giving all his info. out on what and where of his collection. But I think his case is special with all those giants.

It doesn't sound like the woman and her boyfriend/fiance/husband are full blown breeders (yet?). This was only their second clutch - the other was earlier in the year - I think she said corn snakes.

Both my husband and I are torn about this idea. We want to do it but wonder if the timing is not great. The other option is to wait until we go to the Hamburg, PA show. That would give us a chance to shop around, learn more about subspecies of RTB's (personally, I like Columbian RTB's more), find a breeder we like, hold a few of a chosen breeder's adults, and pick out a juvenile that we like. What do baby RTB's usually go for at shows (not morphs)?

Thanks again, y'all, for the information and the support!

[ladywhipple02]

Sounds a little fishy to me. If someone wanted to come and take a look at my collection because they wanted to see parentage, etc, I would definitely ask for references, but would also definitely let them come out (I've actually done this with a couple people wanting to take a look at a rack and an animal I was selling).

Personally, I would wait until the Hamburg show. Shopping around is great fun, and you'll be able to find a bouncing little baby that catches your heart and your eye. Normal boas at a show like that will probably go for $75-$100. You may get lucky... Severus---now in the care of Jo---was a show find. Adoption fee was $30 because he had a kinked tail and a misaligned jaw. He grew out of his little quirks, and now he's one of the prettiest and well-mannered snakes out there (yep, I'm biased of course).

Plus, any breeder worth his salt will be able to answer any questions you have, and I'll bet you get to see an adult boa or two on your rounds